Fire chief urges yes on Issue 28

To the editor:

On Nov. 4, the city of Oberlin will ask voters to approve Issue 28, a one-fifth percent, ten-year earned income tax renewal for the provision of capital improvement programs. As voters prepare to cast their ballot in this election, Oberlin firefighters are seeking their support of Issue 28, as a significant portion of this levy will be used for a critical renovation and expansion of the existing fire station.

While the current fire station was built in 1975 for two people, it is no longer capable of supporting the fire department's mission. That mission has grown over the last 33 years to accommodate changes in community needs, including emergency medical services, hazardous materials, technical rescue, fire prevention, public safety education, emergency management, and homeland security. Today our operations require more in-station staffing, including both male and female firefighters.

The current station no longer meets requirements for housing fire and rescue vehicles, equipment, and operations. Personnel training and storage space is inadequate, and the building poses serious health and safety risks for firefighters, from exposure to diesel exhaust to non-existent spaces for decontamination, equipment, and supplies.

The fire station project, funded through Issue 28, would provide those additional operation areas and renovate the existing portion of the building. This new station will meet all safety and health requirements and the operational needs of the fire department into the future. Further, we have mandated that the building project be environmentally friendly in sustainability, energy, water, and air quality, meeting the guidelines of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for a Gold certification.

The Oberlin firefighters respectfully ask for the community's support on Issue 28.

Dennis Kirin

Fire chief